RED RUN ENDS
Disjointed Munster blitzed by Glasgow
MUNSTER won four out of four matches against Glasgow last season. Last night at a sold-out Scotstoun, the hosts set the record straight in some style.
Talk of Munster being the hosts’ bogey was swept aside as the winners put in their best performance since Dave Rennie took over at the beginning of the season. An early try from man-of-the-match Leonardo Sarto set the tone.
Taking a pass from Peter Horne on four minutes, Sarto beat two Munster defenders before touching down for the try. Finn Russell put over the extras. A Russell penalty, after Munster were penalised for playing the ball on the ground, extended the lead on 10 minutes.
Superb play by Callum Gibbins kept Munster hooker Rhys Marshall from grounding the ball when he managed to get over the line.
However, with Hughes not coming back on and with Sarto hobbling, the home side were struggling in defence.
Darren Sweetnam set up Rory Scannell with a perfectlytimed pass that allowed him to score in the corner on 14 minutes.
It all kicked off when Marshall was penalised for a noarms tackle on Callum Gibbins, leading to a melee involving almost every single member of both teams. Once things had cooled down, referee Nigel Owens warned both sets of players of their behaviour, but no yellow cards were issued.
When Stephen Archer took out Ryan Wilson in the air, Russell secured three more points before Glasgow increased their lead with a fantastic try. Ruaridh Jackson released Gibbins who ran up the touchline before playing in Lee Jones for the score four minutes before the break. Russell put over the extras.
Soon after, the fly-half had to go off with a bloody nose after a collision with Bleyendaal.
The 15-point half-time lead flattered Glasgow and there was better news for them when Billy Holland was yellow-carded for killing the ball, Glasgow increased their lead after a superb move which eneded in Nick Grigg crashing over before Russell converted.
In the 47th minute, however, Munster got a try back when Chris Farrell scored for the 14 men.
Glasgow came close shortly after but Tim Swinson lost control when he tried to touch down. Glasgow didn’t come away empty handed, though, as a minute later Russell put over a penalty.
The home side, revived with some fresh legs, were playing some inspiring rugby, with a great break by Grigg spilled by Jones when things were looking good for a try.
For four full minutes, they held the ball patiently going through the phrases with Sarto at the heart of the courageous attack. He broke through four tackles before staying on his feet to feed lock Scott Cummings, who crashed over to score in the 64th minute. Russell put over the extras.
With the bonus try point in the bag, it was turning into a great night for Rennie and Glasgow.
With five minutes left, Munster replacement Fineen Wycherley was rightly sent off for a shoulder charge to the head of Swinson.
It was an overly robust challenge which left Owens with no choice but to issue a straight red card.
Glasgow finished the game as they had started it, on the attack. They couldn’t get over the line one more time but it didn’t take the gloss off victory.